Sex is exercise, says Curtin University expert, but not sustainable for improving physiology

Several studies have surfaced again this week on the importance of orgasm or sex to mental health and to prevent prostate cancer. A health expert also tackled the physical benefit of sex which is often compared to exercise.

Kevin Netto, associate professor of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science at Curtin University, reviewed literature on the health benefits of sex which boosts respiratory rate, heart rate and blood pressure. Those are indicators that the body is working at an elevated rate, similar to what happens when exercising, reports Brisbane Times.

Several recent studies replicated the one done in the 1960s in a less obtrusive manner and confirmed the significant hike in markers of physiological stress, particularly blood pressure and heart rate. When compared to exercise, sexual activity has the equivalent of up to 75 percent of maximal exercise, Netto says, reports The Conversation.

But the studies note the intermittent physiological stress levels of sex, with much of it at lower stress levels. It was compared to brisk walking, a moderate physical activity, in terms of energy spent, according to a recent study of young Canadian heterosexual couples.

On the basis solely of physiological changes when sex occurs, it is indeed comparable to exercise, says Netto. However, for those who believe there should be an improvement in human physiology because of exercise, sex could not be considered an exercise because it is not sustained long enough.

In a study of 500 heterosexual couples from four countries who were asked to time their lovemaking from penetration to ejaculation, the average was only 5.4 minutes, with the range from 33 seconds to 44 minutes. That falls short of the recommended 30 minutes minimum thrice a week.

As to the question if sex provide enough workout to change muscular health, the professor says he senses a research project on the matter is underway. As for masturbation, because it is usually shorter than intercourse, solo sex could only be comparable to a light exercise such as slow walking.

He adds that sex has no negative effect on sports performance, but could have an impact on recovery if a person competes within two hours of indulging in sex.